NEC EXTRA CLASS 02

In-class reading handout

Exercise 1: Gapped text
In the passage below, seven paragraphs have been removed. For questions 1 - 7, read
the passage and choose from paragraphs A-H the one which fits each gap.
Disposable Buildings?
Look at a building, any building. What can it tell you? Few would dispute that
architecture reflects the taste and style of the period that gave rise to it.
1) __H___
Today's architectural landmarks tend to be secular rather than religious. For the
present purpose, however, it is less important to acknowledge a building's patronage
than it is to carefully scrutinize its form. So, observe a contemporary building. What
stands out? Discord? A hodgepodge of odd shapes and garish colours that jar? What
about the next? The same? Seeing one modern building does little to prepare the
viewer for the next one; uniformity is negligible.
2) ___F___
In the larger scheme of things, these differences are minor and it is safe to say that
uniformity of appearance is a major factor that differentiates between the buildings of
the past and those of the present. Another important distinction and one so obvious
that it may seem to go without saying, is that modern buildings do not look like old
buildings, (unless they are built in imitation, like neoclassical architecture, for
example).
3) __D____
This is more than a comment on the quality of the respective building materials. The
pyramids were built to last; the Millennium Dome most assuredly was not. This is not
to say that the intention for modern structures is that they should last a certain
amount of time and then fall down-as a kind of disposable building. Nevertheless, they
are undeniably designed and built with only the most immediate future in mind.
4) __C____
The people of the past, on the other hand, looked ahead. It is clear that they intended
a building to be there for future generations. This is corroborated by the fact that, in
countries where the climate allows it, they planted trees. Consider this planting a tree,
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especially one that will some day grow to be very big, is the ultimate in altruistic
behaviour. When a man plants an oak sapling, he knows very well that he will not see
the tree that it will become.
5) __G___
There is a third element particularly relevant to contemporary architecture - the
aesthetic element. Aesthetics pose a challenge because they are inherently
subjective. Beauty is, indeed, in the eye of the beholder; we all have likes and dislikes,
and they are not the same. Even allowing for this, however, most would probably
agree that 'beautiful' is not the most apt way to describe the majority of modern
buildings.
6) ___E____
With most modern buildings, we certainly are. Without interventions, these words
inevitably take on a negative connotation, yet it can be constructive to be confronted
with something completely different, something a bit shocking. A reaction is provoked.
We think. All art evolves with time, and architecture, in all its varied manifestations, is,
after all, a form of art.
7) ___A____
As a result, we have been left with much material for study from past eras. What will
we leave behind us, in turn? If our culture still places a value on the past and its
lessons or a belief that we carry our history with us, in continuity, to the future, then
this view has not been reflected in our architecture. The generations of the future may
not be able to benefit from us as we have benefited from the generations of the past.
PARAGRAPHS
A. The fact remains, though, that until the present day, art forms have been made to
last. Countless paintings and sculptures, as well as buildings, bear witness to this. The
artists and architects of the past strove to impart their creations with attributes that
would stand the test of time. It was part and parcel of the successful execution. It was
an expression of pride; a boast. It was the drive to send something of themselves to
live on into the future, for reasons selfless and selfish both.
B. For architecture, patronage has always been important. While this method of
financing a work of art is as old as the idea of art itself, it gathered huge momentum
during the Renaissance. During this period, wealthy and powerful families vied with
each other in a competition for the creation of the breathtakingly beautiful and the
surprisingly different. It was a way of buying into their own immortality, and that of
the artist or the architect to boot.

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C. Indeed, it is rare to see a modern building that has worn well, that is free from
leaks or rising damp, that is without bits of its outer structure falling off. It is hard to
call to mind an edifice built in the last fifty years which is not like this or will not soon
be. These days, we are not interested in posterity: if a building serves our purpose and
that of our children, that seems to be enough.
D. However, neither of these distinctions reveal much about the builders, apart from
their aesthetic and their fondness for visual conformity. Now, take a look at some old
buildings. The fact that you can see them at all, that they are intact and relevant, is
what opens up the chasm between the present and the past. We do not know how
long today's architectural heritage will last, but the chances are that it will not stand
the test of time.
E. Why is this? Do we not require our buildings to be beautiful any longer? Perhaps
beauty has become architecturally superfluous, or just plain old-fashioned. It could be
that the idea of beauty is too sentimental and sugary for the contemporary taste.
Maybe the modern psyche demands something more stimulating and less easy than
beauty. Perhaps we yearn to be challenged.
F. Historic buildings from a common era, on the other hand, resemble each other. Take
the example of the Gothic cathedral. To the non-specialist, one Gothic cathedral looks
much like the next; if you've seen one, you've seen them all. This view, while extreme,
is correct in the sense that there is a uniformity of style in every Gothic cathedral ever
built. Anyone can see it. It takes an enthusiast, however, to spot and appreciate the
myriad subtleties and differences.
G. In contrast, any tree-planting that takes place today is largely commercial,
motivated by the quest for immediate gain. Trees are planted that will grow quickly
and can be cut down in a relatively short space of time. The analogy between tree
planting and the construction of buildings is a good one; both activities today show
thinking that is essentially short-term and goal driven; we want an instantaneous
result and, on top of that, we want it to be profitable.
H. Buildings, however, can reveal considerably more than that. They give us a unique
insight into the collective mind and culture of those responsible for their construction.
Every building was conceived with an objective in mind, to serve some purpose or
assuage some deficiency, and someone was responsible for commissioning them.
Throughout the course of history, buildings have generally been constructed at the
instigation of the rich and powerful products of politics, religion or both. This is what
makes them so revealing.

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Exercise 2: Multiple matching
The passage below consists of four paragraphs marked A, B, C and D. For questions 1
- 10, read the article in which four people talk about charity work. For each question,
choose the correct person. The person may be chosen more than once.
Is charity as important as we are told it is?
A Mark
No matter how convinced we may be that we are members of a caring, responsible
society that has a well-established safety net, the fact remains that there are still
plenty of people who fall through the cracks. Too many of us sit back, supposedly
safe in the knowledge that the authorities are living up to the duty of care
they have for the most vulnerable members of society.(6) In fact, even a not
particularly rigorous examination of the trials and tribulations faced by
some people will reveal plenty of situations in which they are enduring
difficulties that are not even officially acknowledged, never mind addressed.
(10) The nub of the matter is that, in too many cases, people only become
aware of some of the extreme difficulties faced by fellow citizens when they
themselves become victims of the same circumstances - and in the process
discover that there is actually no official they can turn to for help.(3)
B Alice
Charities are organisations set up in an attempt to offer a lifeline to those who, often
through no fault of their own. find themselves in extremely difficult circumstances for
which the state can't or won't give them any meaningful or effective assistance. In the
same way, we must consider situations where we, personally, could step in to give a
hand. For the fortunate amongst us, when we consider our own lives, we will likely
become aware of the extent to which our family members and other people close to
us help us to overcome our problems. Sadly, a lot of people are not blessed with
caring relatives or friends, and this is where we ought to consider how we can be good
neighbours. Of course, we can't do much in this regard if we have little
contact with our neighbours and even less awareness of anything going on
in their lives.(1) However, there are plenty Of Charities that do try to help
people and could do a better job if they had more assistance or support
from us. I believe at we can provide some useful help to people in our
communities if we make the effort to contact a charity that interests us and
offer our support in whatever way we can.(8)
C Julian

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In an ideal world, far fewer people would be reliant on charities. The sad
reality reflects poorly on society, particularly as regards the extent to which
the authorities are able to relieve the burdens which some people end up
facing alone(4). I know of regrettable instances where children are given
detention at school for 'offenses' that arise simply because they have to
take time out to look after seriously ill or disabled parents.(9) As a result of
these detentions, they then have even less time to support their parents.
Obviously, this creates a vicious circle that will lead the child to missing out
on a significant part of their education and could quite possibly have even
worse consequences.(7) As a result of finding out about someone in such
circumstances, I am now shouldering some of that child's burden, but I have not yet
found a charity that I can turn to for more help.
D Beth
On the whole, I think we're fairly spoilt compared with people who live in certain other
parts of the world. We live in a democracy which has operated a welfare state for
several generations. I appreciate that the budget doesn't always allow enough
funding to ensure that everyone gets adequate support, but we also have a
long history of philanthropy.(D)

Personally, I am lucky to have a great network of friends and relatives whom I can
turn to for assistance, but I know that lots of people must get by without this
advantage. To tell the truth, there are quite a few charities that I don't
consider to be particularly important or useful, but that is none of my
concern, since I'm not forced to give them donations. However, there are
others that I thoroughly approve of, and I actually volunteer for one of them
in my free time.(2)

Which person gives each of these opinions about charities?

1. It's difficult to help the people around us if we don't know what problems they are
facing. B
2. I value the work of some charitable organisations more highly than that of others.D
3. Often, people only come to understand others' problems through personal
experience.A
4. It would be preferable if the work of charities was not so necessary.C
5. It is understandable why the public sector can't take on more responsibility.D

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6. Quite often an assumption people make results in them being less likely to take the
initiative to help people. A
7. It is likely that problems not receiving adequate attention will be exacerbated.C
8. We can all help charities to work more effectively.B
9. Someone's personal circumstances should be considered before they are punished
for something that they felt they had to do.C
10. It isn't hard to pinpoint examples of people with hardships who are receiving no
help from the authorities. A

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